Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

The Iraq debacle of tragedy, which was aided and abetted by a bevy of media co-conspirators who slanted the news, who dared call anti-war U.S. citizens traitors.

Robert Colbert minced no words when he boldly declared, "The war was based on lies.  Iraq had no connection to 9/11 or al-Qaida, and was no military threat to the U.S."

Proud as peacocks, George and Laura Bush chase all over the world in Air Force One, while the Iraq War debacle rages relentlessly on.

George and Laura emerge from Air Force One, smiling and waving as they disembark.  But the mystery is what on earth prompts them to smile and wave at the TV cameras, with the horrifying track record the Republican regime has achieved.

Going to 50 cities, Bush tried to convince Americans that Social Security would be more valuable in private accounts or invested in Wall Street.  That went over like a lead balloon.

As for clean air, Bush has tried desperately to get legislation passed to allow Mexican truckers to use U.S. highways.  Does Bush believe we need more diesel fuel from truck pollution in U.S. cities?

The health care for children controversy which Republicans and Democrats disagreed on was only over a few billion dollars.  The Republicans wanted to add $5 billion more to the $15 billion allotted while the Democrats wanted to boost the children's health care to $35 billion a year.

Bush vigorously fought against this, no doubt considering it akin to socialism-style health care.  But consider this statistic.  It has been reported that Michael Vick, the suspended football star who has been accused of staging dog fights, will suffer an estimated loss of $100 million as a result of his suspension from the National Football League.

The Exxon-Mobil CEO who recently retired was given a bonus of around $400 million and a million a year to continue as a consultant as well as having his country club dues paid.  He also is provided with use of the corporate jet.

Hedge fund mogul David Cohen is said to have bought an original Andy Warhol painting of Marilyn Monroe for $80 million.  He could have bought the ballroom and penthouse suite at the fabulous Hotel Pierre in New York City for $70 million and have $10 million in pocket change left over.  

The Iraq War has cost, to this point, around $400 billion.

The U.S. is building its biggest embassy in Iraq, where the U.S. plans to stay a long, long time.  That reality is manifested by the following numbers - 170,000 contractors and 150,000 troops, all costing billions to rebuild and occupy Iraq.

But Bush and his Republican regime have given tax cuts as the war rages.  These tax cuts have gone to the wealthiest U.S. citizens.

But health care for children in the U.S. is short-changed.

Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan in his book on his experiences in this powerful position commented on the Iraq War, stating it is "largely about oil."

The cost of Iraq oil is as follows:

1.  600,000 to 1 million Iraqis dead;
   
2.  3,600 U.S. service personnel dead;
   
3.  55,000 combatants and non-combatants wounded;
   
4.  2 million Iraqis fleeing for their lives to Syria, Iran and Jordan, throwing the entire Middle East into turmoil;
   
5.  2 million Iraqis displaced from their homes.  

Only time will tell the cost of this conflict that is "largely about oil."